Quantum dot-based immunochromatographic fluorescent biosensor for biomonitoring trichloropyridinol, a biomarker of exposure to chlorpyrifos

Anal Chem. 2010 Jun 15;82(12):5125-33. doi: 10.1021/ac100260m.

Abstract

A novel and portable fluorescent sensor that integrates an immunochromatographic test strip assay (ITSA) with a quantum dot (QD) label and a test strip reader was described in this study for simple, rapid, and sensitive biomonitoring of an organophosphorus pesticide metabolite. The principle of this sensor is based on a competitive immunoreaction that was performed on an immunochromatographic test strip, where analytes compete with competitors (QD-conjugated analogs) to bind to antibodies on a test zone. Captured QDs serve as signal vehicles for fluorescent readout. In this work, 3,5,6-trichloropyridinol (TCP) is used as a model analyte to demonstrate the performance of the immunosensor. QD-TCP conjugates were synthesized and characterized with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and fluorescence spectroscopy. Some parameters (e.g., the amount of QD-modified TCP and immunoreaction time) that govern sensitivity and reproducibility of ITSA were optimized. Under optimal conditions, the sensor has a wide dynamic range and is capable of detecting a minimum 1.0 ng/mL TCP standard analyte in 15 min. The sensor has been successfully applied for detection of TCP spiked in rat plasma with average recovery of 102.0%. Results demonstrate that this sensor provides a rapid, clinically accurate, and quantitative tool for TCP detection and shows great promise for in-field and point-of-care (POC) quantitative testing and screening for metabolite biomarkers, e.g., TCP, for humans exposed to pesticides.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biosensing Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods
  • Chlorpyrifos / metabolism*
  • Equipment Design
  • Fluorescence
  • Immunoassay / methods
  • Limit of Detection
  • Male
  • Pesticides / metabolism*
  • Pyridones / blood*
  • Pyridones / immunology
  • Quantum Dots*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Substances

  • Pesticides
  • Pyridones
  • 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol
  • Chlorpyrifos